WATCH: DOT chief reiterates COA to handle Tulfo's return of P60-M ad payments

MANILA, Philippines — Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat on Wednesday once again stressed that she is leaving to Bitag Media Unlimited Inc. the return of the P60 million payment received after airing advertisements of the Department of Tourism.

At the budget hearing of DOT at the House of Representatives, Puyat was asked for an update into the ad placement deal case. She explained that the Commission on Audit already said there is a disallowance or disapproval in the audit of the transaction.

The camp of BMUI, including owner and brother of resigned DOT chief Wanda Tulfo Teo, Ben Tulfo, was given six months to respond to the audit observation memo received in June.

The DOT chief added that COA’s findings would be transferred to the ombudsman, which earlier claimed it has started the investigation into the anomalous ad placement deal.

Last May 7, Teo’s legal counsel and spokesperson, Ferdinand Topacio, announced that BMUI agreed to return the P60-million payment it received. BMUI is a block-timer of state-run People's Television Network.

However, last July 29, Tulfo claimed he would not return the money “even if the eyes of those urging them to do so turn white.”

Topacio recently responded saying Tulfo called him and promised to return the money which has not been returned since.

RELATED: Puyat explains what DOT will do with P60-M ad payment to Bitag once returned